Baby shower for Maeva

Last Sunday my family threw me a baby shower and it was wonderful.
I am so thankful for family and friends who clearly love,
And are already so excited to meet Maeva!

Here are some pictures from the shower taken by a family friend.

Wonderful food prepared by my grandma, her catering partner, Pat and my Aunt.

Mason jar cups with lemonade or tea thanks to my mom.

Lots of gifts. Very blessed by everyone who came!

Braden eating a popsicle because it was so hot! 

Opening gifts and showing everyone. 

All done. Looking like his daddy here.

Sitting on his great grandma's lap, eating lots of fruit!

On his grandma's lap while she blows bubbles on him. Gotta keep him cool!

Eating wonderful cupcakes. They looked like beautiful roses and tasted so good.

I have a box left over.... want to come eat some?

My best friend from college. Finally got to meet her little girl.

So thankful she was able to come.

So thankful for everyone who put work into this shower and blessed us big time! 

I am feeling more ready to have Maeva and be a mom of 2! 

The zoo

The day started off sunny and beautiful! 

We took advantage of it by going to the zoo with some friends.

A good time was had by all.

Looking forward to going again!

Things on my mind

There's been a lot on my mind lately and I wish I had a place to put them. 

So, here are some of my thoughts, that maybe I'd expand on if I were more vulnerable. 

Speaking of being vulnerable... its so hard. I need to be more open, I need to be more trusting.

Why is it so difficult for me? Why do I shudder at the thought? Why am I so fearful?

I have the cutest little boy in the entire world. And I cannot believe this baby bump. Or the fact that I'm going to have two to love and care for. Kinda freaks me out. 

The past is haunting and I wonder when it won't be, if it ever won't be. 

There's so much I want to write about, blog about... but I'm fearful of doing so. I didn't used to be so fearful of expressing myself in words, but I am now and I hate that.

This weather is absolutely beautiful. In the 60's in February. Crazy!

Why hasn't Braden said "Mama" yet? Will he ever or will he just call us both "dada" forever?

I feel like the laziest pregnant person. I really should fold that mountain of laundry, but I don't want to.

I don't play with my son enough. I know I don't. I have so much to work on as a mama and I wonder will I ever feel like I really know what I'm doing? 

Worry about friends, family, money... so much in life to worry about. I know I need to trust God will it all. Help me to trust You more God.

I'm emotionally a mess. That's how I've felt lately...anyway.

I don't want to go to church. I'm admitting that to myself (and to you) because I'm afraid that everyone sees what I've done wrong, all my mistakes. I know thats wrong, but I feel that in my heart. 

I have a lot to work on in my relationship with God and I should do that NOW. I want Him to be the biggest part of my life... the biggest part of my family, but if I don't work on it now, it won't ever be and that would tragic. 

I need to drink more water. 

I love my husband and my son so much... I don't know what I'd do without them. 

My husband is so supportive and loving. I'm so thankful for that. I don't tell him that enough. 

I miss my close girlfriends. 

Life is good. There are so many blessings and I need to focus more on those. 

Just a bit of my mind. What's on yours? 

It's the little things: A package, nail polish, and my favorite author

I feel like I haven't linked up with Lindsay over at Aisle to Aloha for the little things that brighten my week in a while! Sometimes weeks feel long and hard, but there still there are good things!

This week my little things were...

A package from this lady. It was a nice surprise! 

New scented nail polish: beach, orange pop, and cherry.

This nail polish goes on so smoothly!

Reading a book by Karen Kingsbury. She's my favorite! 

Its so hard for me to put her books down!

What are the little things that made your week bright?

Happy Friday!

Questions on Gratitude

Lately, I've come across posts from other bloggers that I like and therefore want to copy.This is one of those posts. It's definitely one I need to do...especially today. I need to take the time to really think about what I am grateful for. I am always grateful, but I don't always take the time to really think about such things. 

1. Who do you appreciate? There are many people I appreciate, but my husband is at the very top of the list. He works so very hard at a job that isn't his dream, at a job that most days is just a pain, but he does it because he wants to support us. He's also very supportive, loving, and giving. He's a great husband! =)

2. How am I fortunate? I am fortunate because of the life I live. There are so many people, so many children who don't get food to eat, water to drink, or a roof over their head. I'm fortunate enough to get those things! I'm also fortunate to have a college degree. So many people can't afford it. I'm fortunate also because I know Christ. So many people don't. For that I am one of the most fortunate!

3. What material possessions am I thankful for? Clothes, my phone, a computer, a car, a bed to sleep on.

4. What abilities do I have that I am grateful for? I'm grateful that I have a compassionate heart. Sometimes its so easy for the world to judge other for who they are or blame them for their circumstances, but I try to see the bigger picture, I try to see their heart. I'm not always good at it, but my heart is full of compassion for many.

5. What about my surroundings (my home, neighborhood) am I thankful for? I'm thankful to have a roof over my head and a warm place to sleep. I'm thankful that we are in a safe place, but mostly I am thankful that I am with my husband and son. They surround me daily and without them I don't know what I'd do. I'm also thankful that God is all around me.

6. What experiences have I had that I am grateful for? I want to say that I am grateful for my past, but sometimes thats hard. However, I know that theres a purpose in it, even if I never know what that is. Its a part of God's plan and its made me who I am today. 

7. What happened today/yesterday/this week/ this month/this year that I am grateful for?

Today-- time to rest. Somedays I feel like I get none and it was nice to nap with my son lying on me.

Yesterday -- some good time with just my husband, son, and I. One of my favorite things is when we have time just us, time to just enjoy each other. 

This week-- thats its Thanksgiving tomorrow (and someone's birthday)! =)

This month -- that we've been able to take some steps towards healing for us and made some decisions that will be good for us!

This year -- we got married and had a baby...couldn't get any better than that!    

8. What opportunities have I had that I am thankful for? I am thankful that I have the chance to stay home with my son. Its definitely a blessing. I get to see him grow and thats something I wouldn't change for the world!

9. What have others done that I am thankful for? My husband works to support us. That is something I can never thank him enough for. His parents have given us a place to stay while we pay off some debt. A friend from church welcomes her home for play dates and listens to me. Theres so much that others have done for me! 

10. What have others done that I am benefiting from in my life (even if I don't know who those people are?) I know others pray for us. Maybe I don't know who or when, but it helps!

11. What relationships am I thankful for? I am thankful for the relationship I have with my husband. It may not always be easy, but it is always worth it. I am thankful for my relationship with my son. Its a special relationship and he will always have a special place in my heart. I love them very much. I am also thankful for the friendships I have -- some I've had for years and some more recent, but my friends, they are so important and have been there through some of the toughest times. I'm so thankful to have people in my life who will be there no matter what!

12. What am I taking for granted that, if I stop to think about, I am grateful for? I am sure there is much. I think I take more for granted that I can even think of. At times, I think, I take most for granted. Maybe, its money, if I really think about it. I've mentioned debt before and I think, maybe, taking money for granted is what got us here. 

13. What is there about the challenges/difficulties I have experienced (or am experiencing) that I can be thankful for? (e.g. What have I learned? How have I grown?) I've learned what really matters - God and my family. Those things are the only things that really matter... if I only had those two things in my life, I'd not only be okay, but I'd be good. I've also learned that God's in control and I need to trust Him and lean on Him more.

14. What is different today then it was a year ago that I am thankful for? My heart is different. When my husband and I started dating I was emotionally a mess and after getting married and having him in my life thats changed a lot. He's helped to heal my heart. I'm so thankful for that! I am also thankful that my husband took it upon himself to bring my best friend from college and I back into one anothers' lives. I am thankful that she was willing to let me back in her life and that we were willing to forgive one another and open up to one another again. God is good. In all things He is good.

15. What insights have I gained that I am thankful for? I am thankful that I've learned that I can't change the way people act or the choices they've made. I can only be in-charge of me. Its nice to be able to let go of that and not carry the burden of other peoples' choices. 

Girlfriends weekend

This past weekend some of us girls from college got together.

Its the first time some of us have all been together since I got married.

It was so fun to see all of them and catch up on life because its changed so much! 

We had a full weekend!

We ate a ton of food,went to a pumpkin patch,talked a lot

and just hung out! It was great! 

Oh, and of course Braden got a lot of loving!

This was his first time on a hayride. He couldn't take his eyes away from the big wheels!

There were a few farm animals. The pig got lose!

They had this slide at the pumpkin patch which was so fun to go down.

I was a bit nervous about going down it with Braden, but decided to try it anyway.

It was safe and fun. We laughed a lot!

We took a trip to the cider mill. So many apples!

Braden of course had to check out the pumpkins! I think he recognized them from his first time at the pumpkin patch!

Of course I had to try some cider. This was apple-raspberry cider. Very yummy!

And heres a picture of us that evening watching some fire on the water thing (I'd explain it, but its boring lol). 

I am so thankful for these women. 

They've been there for me through a lot.

 I look forward to the many more times that we get to be together in this life! 

It's the little things: New things, wall art, visit from a friend, and ten thousand villages

This weeks been a good one. Especially today =) 

Braden decided he wanted to help grandma do laundry.

I love how curious he is...

Started digging around in the dryer and shaking clothes just like grandma.

I saw something like this on pinterest and knew I wanted to do it! 

The first thing I've actually done that I pinned. Yes, I am proud.

Of course the other one actually looks more heart shaped. 

I just love looking at this wall and seeing people I love.

This is my friend LynAnne. She has been in Cambodia for a whole year, so this was the first time she got to meet our little one. I was so happy! They seemed to like each other!

We got to hang out all day. I picked her up from the bus stop, we went for coffee, to ten thousand villages, had lunch, went to the park, and just had a good time catching up on one another's lives!

Definitely the best part of this week!

This is what I bought at ten thousand villages:  chocolate and flower pins for my hair.

Have you ever been? If not, GO! 

Its all fair trade stuff. 

LynAnne knows a lot of people from Cambodia who actually made stuff in the store. 

Cool huh? 

Cool to us anyway.

Happy Friday! What blessed your week!

One day as mama

Its inspiration workshop at Gussysews! The prompt was "One day in your life." So, here you go!

Mmmm starbucks, I love you so much. Iced coffee is my fav. By this time I'd already fed my boy, put him back down, and went to the dr. Just drinking my coffee and blogging, while he was sleeping. 

Waking up from a nap. "Mom, why do you have that in my face now?"

 He got so excited about being in his highchair because....

it meant food. =)

Reaching for the camera. He does that a lot.

Playing with his toys. He does this a lot. 

 Some mama time. He's distracted by something else. 

Fighting nap time. This is a regular occurrence and it is so horrible. 

Meeting a puppy, who liked to give him kisses. Braden loved talking to her!

 Having coffee (at starbucks again...) with a dear friend. We've know each other since freshman year of college and she's such a good friend! She's been gone for a while, in Canada. So good to catch up! This is the 3rd time she's been around Braden.

This is Braden passed out after not sleeping all day even though he was tired. Sorta my fault. This didn't last long then. Over-tired babies are not fun for anyone!

Daddies home! 

Giving our boy rasberries on his belly. He just laughs and laughs. Wonderful sound!

Reading the Bible. Husband is funny. 

There you have it. Not everything about the day, but a huge chunk.